The Ballerina

By: Lauralee Jacks

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved her grandmother very much that she would do everything for her. But her grandmother was ill and when she was just about to die she said, “My dear child, I want you to become the greatest ballerina in the world.” And then she died. The girl cried, “Don’t leave me!”

The next day her mother said, “Claire dear, what’s wrong? Are you still upset over my mom’s death?” “Mom,” said Claire, “I want to be a ballerina.” “Why?” asked her mom. “It was my grandmother’s last wish. And I want to do it for her.” “Oh, honey, you don’t have to do it for her. You can be whatever you want,” said her mom. “I want to be a ballerina. That is my decision. Grandma is the only one who knows what my ambition is. If I want to be a ballerina, I’m going to be a ballerina.” Her mother didn’t have any choice, but to help her become a ballerina. So she decided to help her daughter find her a ballet company.

When the best ballet company saw how Claire danced, they were amazed. They let her into the company. They taught Claire dance moves that she hadn’t done before. Soon Claire was moving up from nonentity roles to lead roles.

Audiences adored her and everybody agreed that she was the greatest ballerina in the world.

When the news reached the prince’s ears he decided to watch her performance that night. When the prince saw how graceful she danced he fell in love with her. He decided to go to her dressing room to meet her.

When he got to her dressing room, the prince and Claire talked. Claire fell deeply in love with him and told him why she wanted to be a ballerina. Then she asked him, “Where do you think my grandmother is right now? Do you think there is an afterlife?”

“Yes, I think there is an afterlife called heaven. I think that your grandmother is in heaven looking down at you and smiling from the heavens. For you have made her proud, because her wish has at last been fulfilled. I also think that she wants us to marry,” said the prince. “I think my grandmother would love that,” said Claire.

They married and right after they got married her grandmother’s spirit appeared right in front of Claire and said, “I am so proud of you, Claire. If you ever need me, I am there inside you.” Then she disappeared. Claire and the prince lived happily ever after.

The End